Why Science Backs Vitamin D as Winter's Best Supplement!

VITAMIN D: Why Science Backs Vitamin D as Winter's Best Supplement!

vitamin D

Have you ever noticed how, throughout life, you often have that deep down, wisdom-based knowing about something, but perhaps you still don’t listen?

Well, it’s a bit like the wisdom of knowing that Vitamin D is so important for you: you often know it in the back of your mind, you often feel it in your bones, in your energy levels dipping or in low immunity, but you don’t really do anything about it.

However, did you know that this ‘knowing’ about Vitamin D is actually backed by scientific fact? Here at Birch and Wilde, we are passionate about innovative supplement research and development. So, for us, when science supports something, we know to take notice!

We’re here to share our wisdom in order to help this become visible to you too - especially at a time of year when this is really important.

Read on as we explain in the next few minutes why you need Vitamin D this winter, what science actually says about deficiency, and how to make the choice on which supplement to take!

vitamin D

WHAT THE SCIENCE SAYS...

Like every good story, let’s start at the beginning! Vitamin D helps regulation and absorption of calcium and phosphate in your body. These are essential for healthy strong bones, immunity, and to enable many cells in your body to work properly.

Vitamin D is particularly important when you live in a very seasonal country, like the UK. Your body only makes Vitamin D naturally when your skin is exposed to sunlight. Therefore, in winter months it can be a challenge to get enough sun.

Even in some warmer or sunnier circumstances, keeping optimal Vitamin D levels can often be difficult. This might be due to illnesses, dietary preferences, allergies (especially dairy), age and wearing sunblock – all of these (and more) can impact how much Vitamin D we get.

It is estimated that up to 50% of the UK population is lacking the required levels. Deficiency in Vitamin D can cause issues with immunity, tiredness, fatigue, bone and back issues, including osteoporosis, depression and SAD syndrome, as well as impacting wound healing.

Have you noticed any of these symptoms, particularly in winter? If so, supplementing with Vitamin D3 is a very sensible approach.

The NHS actively advise Vitamin D3 supplementation in the UK over winter months. Even if you haven’t yet experienced these symptoms, but you are just feeling a little ‘off’ and you don’t really know why (particularly in winter months), you are likely to benefit from some support.

vitamin D

CHOOSING VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENTS...

Once you have decided it’s time to top up your Vitamin D levels, it can be easy to find yourself a bit lost when you starting looking at the options available. Do you take Vitamin D2 or D3? Don’t fear, we can help point you in the right direction!

Vitamin D2 is made in plants (wild mushrooms are a great source!) and Vitamin D3 is made by our skin when exposed to sunlight. We need both, but D3 is the one you are more likely to be lacking over winter. If you eat a balanced diet, including lots of vegetables, oily fish like salmon, and even fortified foods, it is likely that you will get the vitamin D2 that you need from there.

Vitamin D3 is the one we may not get enough of in the less sunny seasons. So, if you’re making the choice, then we suggest that D3 is the one to top up with this winter! As always, we recommend quality. Choosing a good quality, reputable brand for your vitamin D3 will ensure you’re getting the most out of your supplement and you are on the right track back to balance.

Besides supplementation, there are other ways that you can you can help boost your combined Vitamin D levels, as well as your winter wellbeing overall. If you incorporate eggs, oily fish and orange juice into your diet, go for walks in the sunshine when it is out (or even overcast days), and take your Vitamin D3 supplement, you’ll be topping up enough to improve your wellbeing in no time!

vitamin D

REMEMBER...

Overall, remember to listen to what is going on in your body. If you have the nagging feeling that you need a little extra support, it’s time to hear it. Take note of your body’s messages (it knows what it wants!), and take that supplement. It is such a simple solution to having a much happier and healthier winter this year!

vitamin D